Effect of gender on net energy and protein requirements for growth of goats

Abstract

Currently, the world is facing challenges related to environmental problems, global warming, and demography. In this context, goats may take part on an important socio-economic role with its potential to use marginal land. In addition, these animals adapt easily to various climatic zones, produce under different systems of husbandry, and successfully convert feed into protein sources. However, it is crucially important to understand this species’ nutritional requirements, that are determined by several factors such as management, breed, environment, gender, age and others. Nutritional requirements for goats have been based on limited data, and are sometimes calculated by extrapolation of other species needs (ARC, 1980; NRC, 1981). We propose to investigate Saanen goats, from 30 to 45 kg of body weight (BW), the effect of gender on net protein and energy requirements for growth.